Man who fired gun outside NY synagogue while shouting ‘Free Palestine’ pleads guilty to hate crime
A man has pleaded guilty to hate crime charges after firing a gun outside an Albany synagogue while shouting "Free Palestine!" in December 2023 - he faces up to 20 years in prison.
By BEN SALES/JTA
FEBRUARY 5, 2025 06:13
A man who fired a gun in the air outside of an Albany, New York, synagogue while shouting “Free Palestine!” has pleaded guilty to hate crime and firearms charges.
The Justice Department announced on Tuesday that Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, 29, had pleaded guilty to obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs by threat of force as well as two gun-related charges. He faces seven to 20 years in prison as well as a fine of up to $750,000. He will be sentenced in federal court on June 6.
According to the Justice Department’s statement, Alkhader walked up the front steps of Temple Israel, a Conservative congregation, on Dec. 7, 2023 — two months after Hamas’ attack on Israel and shortly before the beginning of Hanukkah that night. He then took a shotgun out of a duffel bag and fired it in the air twice while shouting “Free Palestine!” He also attempted to take down an Israeli flag flying outside the synagogue.
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-840730
